Squirrel monkey at Monkeyland

Before the Dominican Republic fell victim to Hurricane Irma, and soon Hurricane Maria, I had the opportunity to stop at La Romana on my cruise. La Romana is primarily known for Casa de Campo, which is a large resort. Visitors can go to the beach, ride horses, play golf, and shop. There is also Altos de Chavón, which is a replica of a European medieval village.

My family decided to skip Casa de Campo and do something out of the ordinary. Our tour took us to someone’s home where we got a taste of the Dominican Republic. We ate fresh fruit, like pineapples and mangoes, and drank cocoa tea. All of it was delicious.

Where they roast cocoa beans

We then drove a short distance to Monkeyland, which is in the mountains and is home to squirrel monkeys. Monkeyland is an interactive experience. I knew that I would be feeding the monkeys, but I didn’t expect them to be as friendly as they were. I had them crawling all over me and had one even on my head.

The monkeys are adorable and extremely gentle. I found that even when I didn’t have food, they still wanted to interact. 

Me feeding a squirrel monkey

I’m hoping Monkeyland didn’t have much damage after Hurricane Irma and will make it through Hurricane Maria because it is definitely a once in a lifetime experience. It is something I and my family will never forget.

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